Man accused in murder of elderly woman was on probation

A 21-year-old man already on probation for a violent break-and-enter two years ago has been charged in the murder of an elderly woman inside her east-end home earlier this week.

Sinbad King Simba Marshall, of no fixed address, was arrested on Thursday morning and charged with second-degree murder and break-and-enter. He appeared in court on Friday, and his next appearance is by video on Nov. 25.

 

Stella Tetsos, 82, was found dead in her home near Birchmount Road and St. Clair Avenue East on Wednesday afternoon. An autopsy revealed the cause of death was the result of a blunt-force injury.

This is not the first time Marshall is accused of a violent crime, although this is the first time he is charged with murder.

Police say Marshall was arrested in connection with a break-and-enter in the same area in 2013 that left the homeowner with serious injuries.

According to courts records, on June 14 of that year, Marshall was accused of assaulting and robbing a woman at a home in the Birchmount and Danforth area.

Of the 12 charges he faced, Marshall was convicted of aggravated assault and breaching a probation order. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail and three years probation, but got credit for serving 10 months in pretrial custody.

Tetsos’ nephew, Peter Tsirlis, who was in court on Friday along with the victim’s sister-in-law Anna Kotsopoulos, said punishment was not enough for Marshall since he is accused of re-offending.

Kotsopoulos was overcome with grief as she described what it was like to see the accused.

“I don’t think she was even 80 pounds. To see that guy there, so strong, it’s devastating. And I had to come to see what he looked like. Poor lady, I can’t imagine. It shouldn’t have happened,” she said.

Kotsopoulos said her family is devastated by what happened to Tetsos who she calls a “wonderful and caring” person.

“I really can’t accept this,” she cried.

The sister-in-law also said her husband is in hospital with a stroke after hearing that his sister died.

“He doesn’t even know how it happened yet,” she said.

Tetsos’ murder shook the neighbourhood, and news of the arrest spread quickly.

“The whole neighbourhood was stunned and shaken by all of this. We lost a wonderful woman,” one neighbour said.

“[She had] a very beautiful smile all the time,” one of the victim’s friends said in between tears.

Toronto police were called to the home around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday for a report of “unknown trouble.”

Witnesses at the scene told 680 NEWS that police officers showed them a broken window, and said someone may have broken into the home. Police confirmed to CityNews they were looking at robbery as a motive.

With files from Marianne Boucher and Carl Hanstke


Toronto police say there have been 44 homicides this year.

Below is an interactive map of the incidents that have occurred in 2015.

Click on the pins to see more details, including when and where the murder happened and the victim’s name.

Click here to view if you’re on a mobile device.

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